Women in Congress: 1917-2006

摘要

Like all history, the story of women in Congress is defined by change over time: From a complete lack of representation in Congress before 1917, women have advanced to party leadership at the start of the 21st century. At times during the roughly 90 years women have served in Congress, change has been almost imperceptible, as exemplified by the subtle shift in womens committee assignments after World War II. At other times, change has been bold and dramatic, as evidenced by the 1992 Year of the Woman elections. Several questions, important not only to womens history in Congress but also to the development of Congress itself, have recurred throughout the process of researching and writing this book. How have women Members of Congress reacted to the political culture and traditions of Capitol Hill. Have women changed the way Congress conducts its business, or have they modified their behavior to conform with the institution. Have the experiences of the women Senators differed from those of women Representatives and, if so, what might account for these differences. What kinds of experiences do Congresswomen have in common, despite the differences in their legislative styles and political ideologies.